A Big Thank You!

As we receive donations for Connors fundraiser from companies, businesses and people I will add them on here. Some of these places have a connection to Connor and some of them don't but it's so amazing to see the generosity from each and every one of them. A big thank you goes out to all of them for helping Connor!

The company all my brothers work for.

http://rite-waymetals.com/

The location for Connors fundraiser and our one brothers friends mom, happens to own it.

http://foxandfiddle.com/19530-langley-bypass

Connor and his friends gym in Langley, BC

http://rftmma.com/

A local restaurant in Cloverdale, BC. They're always helping people in our community!

http://www.originaljoes.ca/cloverdale

No connections to them which make it even more touching they offered to help Connor.

http://www.chilliwackriverrafting.com/

A local company located in Surrey, BC. The owner happens to be a friend of our moms and we can't thank them enough for their generosity!

https://www.fraservalleyequipment.com/

Another local company located in the heart of Cloverdale, BC. Even though they are doing fundraisers of their own to make sure they stay open, they still take the time to help others in the community!

http://www.theclova.com/

http://bostonpizza.com/en

http://www.berezanhg.com/liquor-stores.html

http://www.deadfrog.ca/

http://www.thecomedymix.com/

http://www.fitnessunlimited.ca/

http://www.tbcir.ca/

http://www.blumedayspa.com/

http://jimymacspub.com/

http://jrgvancouver.ca/

http://www.jonker.com/index.htm

http://www.lotusdayspa.ca/

http://marcusraydesigns.com/

http://www.michauds.ca/

http://www.mingandsing.com/

http://www.missmilly.ca/

http://poshshop.co/

http://rustyspub.ca/

http://spapure.ca/

http://tandesoleil.com/

http://www.basantmotors.com/index.htm

http://www.wine-emporium.com/

http://www.cactusclubcafe.com/

http://www.ebgames.ca/

http://horizonlandscape.ca/

https://foreveryourslingerie.ca/

http://www.islandtan.ca/

http://www.ivorybridal.ca/

Vancouver River Rafting – Canadian Outback whitewater river rafting adventures

http://www.canadianoutback.com/rafting.php

https://pepsi.ca/

http://ca.rockstarenergy.com/

http://www.abbotsfordheat.com/home/

http://www.wolfesauto.com/

http://ladylucktattoo.ca/

http://marketplaceiga.com/our-stores/cloverdale-iga.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/LaBelleVieCloverdale

www.bcsportfishinggroup.com

http://www.craftsmancollision.com/locations/langley/

http://www.housewarmingsdesign.ca/

http://www.bclions.com/

http://www.langleyoptometry.ca/en/

http://snaz.com/

http://www.pawstoplay.com/

http://www.aruspa.com/

http://www.lstires.ca/

http://www.mapleridgepaintball.com

http://www.pricesmartfoods.ca/

http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t435

http://imaginelaserworks.com/

http://johngilliat.com/vivid/

http://www.debbiemozelle.com/

http://lovethoseshoes.ca/

www.artsnursery.com/‎

http://www.rona.ca/en

http://www.northviewgolf.com/

http://www.storageforyourlife.com/

http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/

http://www.architectural-library.com/19990056/00010.htm

http://onlinecollision.com/

http://www.richmondgokarts.com/

http://ridgesheetmetal.com/

http://www.thebootcampeffect.com/

http://www.canadaticket.com/

http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/

http://www.jrfm.com/

http://www.goldkeylangleyvw.ca/

http://www.birdiesandbuckets.ca/

http://www.wesgroup.ca/

www.berezanliquorstores.ca

www.wpe.bc.ca

http://cloverlasercentre.com/

http://www.islandcoastalaviation.com/

http://newlandsgolf.com/

http://www.liquidambertattoo.com/

http://e-exit.ca/

http://www.scottmoe.com/

http://www.abbotsfordcentre.ca/

http://www.flamanfitness.com/

www.fraserblues.com

http://www.flyovercanada.com/

http://www.fvtradex.com/

http://www.everybodylovescandyshoppe.com/

Info On Connors Fundraiser and Donations

Well guys a date and location has finally been decided! We're having a fundraiser for Connor Thursday March 6th, 2014 at The Fox and The Fiddle in Langley. Tickets are $20.00 which will include, a burger and beer or a glass of wine. (The money raised will go to helping Connor pay for extra medical expenses and anything he may need, added or changed to accommodate him when he gets to go home) We are planning lots of fun stuff for that night so we hope to see you there!

To buy tickets you can call me (Megan) 604-200-2504, (Sandi) 604-202-8450, (Breanna) 778-899-5912 or (Kaitlyn) 778-240-7730

*Update* I now have confirmation that Trama will be playing at our fundraiser for Connor! So excited! A big thanks to Doni Underhill, Brian, Alex and Doni's lady Trish!

We should have the tickets printed this weekend and we will be in contact with everyone that has requested to purchase tickets so far. Make sure to give one of us a call and we hope to see you all there!

I've also written up a document asking for donations from people/companies for raffle prizes and for our silent auction. I don't really know where to start so if any of you may know of places or people that could donate, I've posted the link below. If you know of someone or some place that could donate anything and don't mind sharing the link it would be greatly appreciated. I'm open to suggestions to and you reach me at: megandick13@gmail.com

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07hMkg3QMlST2w1dFM4WHJIMms/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you all again for following, helping share Connors story, and for all the support along the way. Our family needed it the most and you've all been here in one way or another to help <3

An Update On Connor and How He's Feeling

I actually just found this out today, the last blog entry I posted which was The Start Of A New Year Connor had actually written it with our mom. I added extra details and such but it was so nice to know he's wanting to share his story too.

On January 8th, 2014 I had gone up to visit Connor and to my surprise him and our mom both told me Connor reads his blog all the time. He really enjoys reading his progress and the comments people leave, his favourite though is watching his video as it shows him how far he's come since the accident. Connor should be nothing less then proud of himself, he's working so hard! I guess I'm going to have to make him another video soon so he has something new to watch. Our mom also told me that while Connor was at VGH he had about 100 different people come to visit him. That just goes to show how special our brother really is.

During our visit that evening it was our mom and dad, our brother Cody, Danny, Kaitlyn, Taylor and myself. Danny and the others had gone to get Connor McDonalds as he hadn't had it for months! They brought him a McFlurry, a Southwest Chicken Sandwich and a Poutine. Lets just say that sandwich was gone in no time! When it was time to move onto the poutine, Connor looked up at us and said "Who's going to feed me?" We all had a good laugh and said no one, but Connor looked at our dad and said "dad will". Our dad was actually on his way out so sweet Kaitlyn offered to help him. (Before you think we're mean, we're supposed to get Connor to do most stuff on his own and help him if he really needs it) Though feeding himself can be a challenge and quite frustrating for him, we more often then not give in. I'd also brought in my laptop and the movie Bad Grandpa, figuring if anything was going to make him laugh that movie would be it. With the hospital beds pushed side by side and extra chairs around the beds, we all moved in close to Connor and started to watch it. About 5 minutes into the movie Connor turned it off because he couldn't see it. Over the last couple weeks Connors vision has been very bad. He's only able to see things if they are close to his face and everything else is blurry. They're working on figuring out what's wrong and hopefully it will happen sooner than later as it's one less thing he needs right now. One of Connors favourite things to do now is go to get Starbucks at the Safeway across the street from GF Strong. If you ask him if he wants to go, that kid sits himself up so fast! We all took him for a walk to get one that night and on the Safeway scratches we got while we were there, Connor won 2 free chocolate bars. I think we may need to go buy him a lottery ticket! Just before Cody and I were about to leave, Connor's other friends Breanna and Milan showed up with home made brownies and they were so yummy! He's honestly so lucky to have such amazing people in his life that truly care. Connors been one spoiled guy lately but he definitely deserves it all!

On January 10th, 2014 Connor finally gets to spend the weekend at home! Not his actual home but our mom and her boyfriend Mike's place because it's wheelchair friendly. It's in Fort Langley right on the river so it should be a relaxing weekend for him and a nice change of scenery. Our mom had to practice car transfers in and out of the wheelchair the other day which went very well but as soon as Connor got in the car he said "Take me home now". Without a doubt Connor is not going to want to leave once he gets there but I hope he enjoys it, it goes well and he's able to do it more often. I'm so happy he's finally up for having more people come to visit him, I know he doesn't want people to see him how he is but he has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

The other day Connor told me this post should include how he's feeling. He's mentally not in a good place right now and he's feeling pretty down. The other day Connor told us that he shouldn't be here (at GF Strong) and that none of this should have happened to him. Now don't get me wrong I'd never wish this on anyone ever but Connor being the kind of person he is, he didn't deserve this. The doctors have said that with the way Connor is thinking into the future, it shows them that his brain isn't just stuck on today or the past which is a very good thing. I guess there's always something good to come out of something bad. He's getting help for how he's feeling so hopefully between us and the doctors we can get him over this bump. His vision, not being able to use his right hand very well, not being able to weight bare yet, and pretty much unable to do the things he normally would due to all the other injuries, I don't blame him for feeling how he does and unfortunately it's a part of his traumatic brain injury recovery (DAI). I asked if there was anything we could do to make him happy and all he said was take me home. January 14th, 2014 Connor goes to back to VGH to make sure he gets the OK to weight bare on both legs! I think once he's able to get up and about again on his own it will make him a lot happier.

The last appointment Connor had at VGH the doctors there couldn't believe his progress. A few were even amazed as they had seemed very pessimistic about his recovery from the start. From what we were told in the beginning, to where he is now is absolutely incredible, a miracle, whatever it is we're all so thankful.

Connor when you read this, I know we tell you all the time but if you keep fighting the way you are and pushing yourself to do things you think you can't, you'll hopefully be home before you know it. You were blessed with a second chance for a reason. We all love you buddy and if there's anything we can ever do you know just to ask us, we're all here for you <3

Donations

Our family and Connor want to thank you all so much from the bottoms of our hearts for all your generous donations. Every time he receives a donation it brings a little smile to his face which is so nice to see as he's going through a rough time right now. Honestly ever bit helps no matter how big or small, it all adds up!

We are in the process of putting together a fundraiser at a pub around the end of February, early March but when I have all the details and date I'll let you all know.

Now a lot of people have been asking if there's any other way to donate other then through the PayPal donate button. I've talked it over with my mom and Connor and they said cash and or cheques can be mailed to our moms place. They can even be dropped off in person at GF Strong to Connor but call and check with our mom Sandi first as he has lots of appointments now (604-202-8450) 

Cheques can be made out to:

Sandi Dick
#102 - 23215 Billy Brown Road
Langley, BC
V1M 0B7

Connors donations will be used to help him pay for extra medical expenses not covered by WCB and things he may need in the future. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is also something I have started looking into. We'd also love to be able to get him a new bed for when he is able to come home along with anything that would need to be changed or added to accommodate Connor.

Thank you all again so much our family appreciates all the help more then you'll ever know!

The Start Of A New Year

New Years Eve Connor got to bring in the New Year with a few good friends, Danny, Dill, Kaitlyn, Sara and our mom and her boyfriend Mike. They had plans to take Connor to the festival of lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden but the cab never showed up to take them. Instead they went on a walk and just had a nice night in Connors room. Our mom even bought some decorations, hats and noisemakers that Connor didn't want but I think they convinced him otherwise. They all didn't drink as Connors not allowed any alcohol for at least a year which was totally awesome and it just goes to show how amazing his friends have been!

2014 brings Connor the start of a new year. He will be faced with many new challenges that I'm sure will prove to be very hard and very frustrating. There is no doubt in my mind though that with his strength and determination he will be able to accomplish them all! Now will be the most important time for us to remember that Connor needs our support and patience more then ever.

It's now been 2 weeks since Connor has been at GF Strong. It was a good transition from Vancouver General Hospital to where he is now but unfortunately it was through the Holiday season. Due to the timing it's been pretty quiet around there, most of the patients went home and staff also went on Holidays so rehab has been off to a slow start. Starting today Connor will be spending a lot of his days with speech therapy, occupational therapy, physio therapy and other rehab assistants to help him build back his independence. They are starting to get my family to let Connor do more things without assistance which is sometimes very frustrating for him, being he's really only able to use his left hand. There's still no telling how much function he will get back in his right one but that is something time will show us. The staff at GF Strong are so impressed with how much Connor is able to do and how far he's come in 10 weeks. On the 14th of January we're hoping they will remove the pin from his wrist and give him permission to weight bare. Right now he gets himself in and out of the wheelchair by pivoting on his strong leg. They won't consider removing the plate until 3-6 months have passed. Connor's highlights have been visitors, physio and eating! He lost about 40 lbs but has now put back on 15 lbs in the past 3 weeks even though he's still on a restricted diet, he just eats so much because he can't wait to get his muscles back!

Connor has kept a good sense of humor considering all he's been through and you can even see a smile or hear a little chuckle every once in awhile! Right now he's pretty frustrated and really just want's to go home. He is on the other hand up for visitors so if anyone would like to come one night or on a weekend you can give our mom Sandi a call at 604-202-8450. (It's always good to call her and check first) 

*Update - Go figure as I was writing this blog at 12 pm January 2, 2014 Connor was given the OK to eat anything!!!*